Max Pacioretty Photos

This year the Montreal Canadiens have some pretty interesting injury news, and it reminds us how ridiculously tough hockey players are. Max Pacioretty: Separated shoulder in Game One. Missed Game Two, but played the following three. He wasn't himself and that was clear, but he still managed 13 shots in 4 games, he just couldn't get on the scoreboard. Carey Price: Bothered by nagging injuries towards the end of the season that he wouldn't go into detail on, Price mused about whether or not he would need surgery. The injury that knocked him out of the playoffs was a second degree spraine...

An unfortunate rite of playoff hockey is the trickling down of injury information in the hours and days following a team's elimination. Thursday night, the Montreal Canadiens' embarrassing playoff run ended with a 6-1 loss to Ottawa that clinched the series for the Senators. Within an hour, we learned of the true depths of injuries to certain Habs players. Max Pacioretty played through a separated shoulder. Brian Gionta tried to ignore the torn muscle in his upper arm. Carey Price's knee didn't work. Still, they all tried. They fought, and probably lied to, trainers because they wanted...

The Canadiens could easily have used injuries as an excuse, but the tone in the room was set by Max Pacioretty, who revealed that he was playing with a separated shoulder.

With all due respect to Michael Blunden, he is not the kind of player that the Montreal Canadiens need right now. With Brian Gionta out, Max Pacioretty and Michael Ryder hampered with obvious injuries, and Lars Eller just beginning a process of getting back that takes at least a week, the Habs need someone who can score. Louis Leblanc had a terrible season for the Hamilton Bulldogs. He got his shot volume back up towards the end of the season but he couldn't find a way to produce points on a regular basis. What Leblanc does have though, is more natural offensive talent than Blunden or...

Ottawa Senators' Craig Anderson gets hit by Montreal Canadiens' Max Pacioretty during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Ottawa, Ontario, on Tuesday, May 7, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Sean Kilpatrick)

• And we can all exhale.• Earlier today, our hopes were completely lost. No Lars Eller, no Max Pacioretty, no Brian Gionta, and no Carey Price. Well, you know what I mean. • I actually cried quietly at my desk.• Then tonight, as that game ended, I got chills. I got goosebumps. Did you?• For some reason, despite everything I know about skills, and stats, and real, tangible things (as well as unpredictability and puck luck), I just felt all day that if they could just win this game they could do anything, and now I feel like they can do anything.• Chills.• Goosebumps. • Of course, I coul...

Montreal Canadiens' P.K. Subban (76), Max Pacioretty (67), Andrei Markov (79), Brendan Gallagher (11) and David Desharnais (51) celebrate Desharnais' goal on the Winnipeg Jets goaltender Ondrej Pavelec (31), Ron Hainsey (6) and Mark Stuart (5) during third-period NHL hockey game action in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Thursday, April 25, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Woods)

Montreal Canadiens' David Desharnais (51) celebrates his goal on the Winnipeg Jets with teammates Max Pacioretty (67) and Brendan Gallagher (11) as Jets' Mark Stuart (5) lies on the ice during third-period NHL hockey game action in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Thursday, April 25, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Woods)

Home ice in the playoffs is clinched for at least round 1. I swear I'm not lying about this, but after watching the final home game of the regular season with my friend, as we walked out I predicted that we would lose to the Devils but it would be close, and then we'd beat the Jets to clinch home ice. Ask him if you don't believe me: @crosseyed_mofo. During this losing streak, Max Pacioretty has quietly got his game back together. 10 shot attempts tonight for Max, and likely a goal once the play is reviewed. (update: Pacioretty's goal now) Stick tap to alex_icon: P.K. Subban ties his...

Montreal Canadiens' Davis Drewiske, center right,is congratulated by teammates Max Pacioretty, left, Brendan Gallagher, center left, and Nathan Beaulieu after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs during first-period NHL hockey game action in Toronto, Saturday, April 13, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)

Montreal Canadiens' David Desharnais (51) celebrates with P.K. Subban (76), Andrei Markov (79) and Max Pacioretty (67) after a goal by Subban against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Thursday, April 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)

Buffalo Sabres center Brian Flynn (65) scores on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Peter Budaj (30), of Slovakia, as left winger Max Pacioretty (67) defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Thursday, April 11, 2013. Montreal won 5-1. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)

Montreal Canadiens' Max Pacioretty is taken down by Washington Capitals' John Carlson during third period NHL hockey action Tuesday, April 9, 2013 in Montreal. The Capitals beat the Canadiens 3-2. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Montreal Canadiens right wing Michael Ryder (73) celebrates with teammates Max Pacioretty (67) and David Desharnais (51) after scoring against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 4, 2013, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)

Philadelphia Flyers' Luke Schenn (22) tries to clear the puck under pressure from Montreal Canadiens' Max Pacioretty (67) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, April 3, 2013, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 5-3. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)